A team of Chinese scientists has developed a high-performance iron-based catalyst for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), which could potentially reduce reliance on scarce and expensive platinum. The new design enables record efficiency and long-term durability, achieving an oxygen reduction overpotential as low as 0.34 V.
A recent study published in Nature Communications has made a groundbreaking discovery about the contribution of phytoplankton to the global carbon cycle. Phytoplankton can directly pump stubborn carbon into the ocean, where it may persist for centuries, contradicting decades of conventional scientific wisdom.
A new study reveals that heat can transform refractory organic matter into forms usable by microbes living far below the seafloor. This process, known as carbon-reactivation, occurs at temperatures above 35 °C and provides a significant energy source for deep Earth ecosystems.
Research finds that microbial carbon use efficiency rises following abrupt permafrost thaw, driven by shifts in community composition and nutrient availability. This increase may promote the incorporation of microbial-derived compounds into soil, fostering stable carbon formation.
A new study found that long-term biochar application can sustainably boost crop yields by 10.8% and cut greenhouse gas emissions like methane and nitrous oxide by 13.5% and 21.4%. Biochar's benefits on soil health and carbon sequestration are also significant, with increased soil organic carbon content by 52.5%.
Researchers have developed a new way to 'edit' the internal layers of MAX phases, leading to the creation of novel layered inorganic materials. The discovery enables the transformation of covalent-bonded ternary compounds into 2D materials with tunable properties.
Researchers have discovered a way to turn material defects into an advantage for spintronic devices. By exploiting these imperfections, the team was able to boost both orbital Hall conductivity and angle, leading to a threefold improvement in switching energy efficiency.
Scientists have developed a system that uses gene editing to create flowers that can be easily pollinated by AI-controlled robots, addressing a long-standing pollination hurdle. This breakthrough reduces manual labor costs in crops like tomatoes and soybeans, and has the potential to increase crop yields and improve sustainability.
A new deep-sea hydrothermal system was discovered in the Western Pacific, producing massive hydrogen emissions. The Kunlun system is notable for its exceptionally high hydrogen flux and unique geological setting.
Researchers have developed novel methods to advance precise chromosomal manipulation by addressing challenges in the Cre-Lox system. Their innovations include asymmetric Lox site design and a protein-directed evolution system, enabling targeted integration of large DNA fragments up to 18.8 kb.
The study reveals a spatiotemporal separation in the processing of distinct pre-rRNAs within the nucleolus, contradicting traditional models. The findings suggest that small subunit (SSU) pre-rRNA is predominantly processed within the inner FC–PDFC regions, while large subunit (LSU) pre-rRNA matures gradually in the outer PDFC–GC regions.
A new study by Chinese researchers uses high-resolution satellite data to quantify global methane emissions from landfills, revealing open dumps emit 4.8 times more methane than engineered sanitary landfills.
Researchers have used a dynamic global wetland water level dataset to assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of wetland carbon sequestration. They found that tropical wetlands contribute 70% to global C sequestration, with South America, Asia, and Africa being the top three continents.
Researchers developed a new microscope that enables high-speed, large-field-of-view visualization of neurovascular activity in awake mice. The LiTA-HM system captures capillary-scale vascular networks and single-neuron soma details across the entire cortex with 6-μm spatial resolution.
Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters demonstrate quantum confinement in a new covalent organic framework without shrinking the material. The framework exhibits exceptional photoluminescence properties, making it suitable for applications such as lighting devices and chemical sensors.
A team of scientists proposes an integrated framework combining biotechnology and AI to revolutionize crop breeding, exploring multi-omics, genome editing, and high-throughput phenotyping. The authors present a forward-looking framework for AI-assisted crop germplasm design, offering a roadmap for sustainable agriculture.
Researchers discovered that approximately 436-million-year-old brachiopods formed a non-random, checkerboard-like pattern due to their tiny setae, which allowed them to maintain optimal spacing. This study provides rare evidence of ancient communities being shaped by biological interactions.
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have discovered aluminium-20, an unstable isotope that decays via three-proton emission. The study provides insights into the structure and decay of nuclei beyond the proton drip line, shedding light on isospin symmetry breaking.
The study reveals highly refined axon targeting and arborization in primates, with distinct PFC neuron subtypes projecting to different brain regions. This finding suggests a modular network of intra-PFC connections providing a structural basis for working memory.
Researchers have discovered a new way microbes derive energy from chemical reactions driven by crustal faulting in deep subsurface areas. This process produces hydrogen and oxidants, sustaining microbial metabolism in the deep biosphere.
A recent study identified 37 human-specific genes linked to brain development and cognitive abilities, which are hijacked by cancer to drive tumor growth. The researchers discovered nearly half of these genes become aberrantly activated in cancerous tissues, promoting tumor cell proliferation.
Researchers discovered an unexpectedly complex and dynamic filamentary network within a very-high-velocity cloud (VHVC) in the Milky Way using the FAST telescope. The study found that the cloud is primarily composed of warm neutral medium (WNM), with little or no cold component, suggesting a cleaner, earlier phase in cloud evolution.
The world's first thousand-ton-scale ionic liquid-based regenerated cellulose fiber project has officially commenced operations in Henan Province, China. The technology uses non-volatile, stable ionic liquids as solvents to replace toxic solvents, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 5,000 tons per year.
Researchers developed a biomimetic physical barrier that temporarily blocks T cell-tumor cell interactions, delaying exhaustion and enabling a stronger immune response. The breakthrough strategy can potentially be combined with other immunotherapeutic approaches to enhance treatment efficacy.
Researchers have developed a novel electrified catalysis strategy that removes more CO2 and CH4 from the atmosphere than it emits, resulting in net-negative greenhouse gas emissions. The process converts these compounds into syngas with an impressive energy utilization rate of 80%.
Researchers solved a long-standing climate mystery by combining geological evidence with climate model simulations. They found that speleothem δ18O records reflect precipitation signals from multiple seasons, not just summer monsoon season.
The researchers developed a new imaging technology that enables the creation of high-resolution 3D images of an entire mouse body, including its peripheral nervous system. The technology allows for the mapping of nerve routes at the subcellular level, providing insights into neural regulation and disease mechanisms.
The Chang'e-6 mission has returned samples from the Moon's farside, providing new insights into the lunar geology and thermal evolution. The samples revealed prolonged volcanic activity, a fluctuating magnetic field, asymmetric water distribution, and ultra-depleted mantle signatures.
Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences have measured the mass of silicon-22, revealing a new proton magic number. This finding provides deeper insight into exotic nuclear structures and nucleon interactions, shedding light on element formation in the Universe.
A recent study found that forest fragmentation weakens ecosystem resilience in tropical and temperate forests, while enhancing it in boreal forests. The research used satellite data to quantify the effects of edge density on forest resilience worldwide.
Researchers developed an AI-informed method for rapid protein evolution, integrating structural and evolutionary constraints. The approach, AiCE, outperforms traditional methods in predicting high-fitness mutations, enabling efficient protein redesign and applications in precision medicine.
Researchers discovered LAG-3 inhibits T cell activity through spatial proximity to TCR, not ligand binding. This discovery enables precise modulation of autoreactive T cells in autoimmune diseases.
A research team discovered a counter-ion competition mechanism that explains the superiority of negatively charged nanofiltration membranes in separating lithium and magnesium ions. This finding provides critical insights for designing next-generation NF membranes with tailored ion selectivity.
Researchers analyzed Junggar Basin sediments, revealing a previously unrecognized 1.6-million-year cycle in the carbon isotope record, distinct from the current grand eccentricity cycle. This variation provides concrete geological evidence of Solar System chaos and its impact on Earth's climate and carbon cycle.
Researchers have determined high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the GnRHR from two species, revealing a conserved recognition of GnRH and molecular mechanisms underlying receptor activation. The study provides valuable insights for designing more robust peptide drugs.
A study published in Science Advances reveals that VIRMA regulates brain development by modulating ribosome biogenesis. VIRMA depletion impairs key steps in this process, triggering a p53-dependent stress response and disrupting global protein translation.
A recent study has revealed that the diploidization process in plants can be both episodic and gradual, depending on the type of mutation. The researchers used population genomics to uncover a nuanced picture of this process, including gene fractionation, transposable element accumulation, and homoeologous expression bias.
Researchers have discovered that multimodal pain integration in the brain significantly enhances overall pain perception when participants are instructed on how to perceive the pain. The precuneus region of the brain plays a vital role in integrating pain information into a cohesive and intensified pain experience.
Researchers analyzed ancient sedimentary rocks to understand oxygen and CO2 levels during the Late Paleozoic Ice Age, finding rapid drops in carbonate uranium isotopes alongside rising atmospheric CO2. This suggests seafloor anoxia expanded even with high oxygen levels.
A team of researchers has revealed how unique native plant life on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau evolved over time, with origins dating back to the Early Eocene. The study highlights the Hengduan Mountains as a crucial center of endemism and emphasizes the need for conservation efforts.
Researchers found pyrogenic carbon formed by ancient fires in a 300,000-year-old sediment core, indicating a continental-scale intensification of fire use around 50,000 years ago. This period coincides with the rapid spread of Homo sapiens and their reliance on fire for survival.
Researchers developed a novel amine-functionalized graphene oxide (NGO) membrane reactor for ultrafast synthesis of propranolol, achieving nearly 100% conversion and selectivity in under 4.63 seconds at 23°C. The NGO membrane exhibited higher catalytic flux and turnover frequency compared to the acidic graphene oxide (GO) membrane.
A nearly complete hominin skull discovered near Harbin has been confirmed as part of the Denisovan lineage through advanced proteomic and ancient DNA analysis. The study provides crucial insights into the wide distribution of Denisovans in Asia, shedding light on their morphology and evolutionary history.
Researchers at USTC have developed weakly space-confined all-inorganic perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) with a luminous efficiency exceeding 22%. The new PeLEDs achieve a maximum brightness of over 1.16 million nits and can operate for more than 180,000 hours.
A new dual-laser strategy revolutionizes breast cancer photothermal therapy by minimizing damage to surrounding tissues while effectively ablating tumors. The approach uses near-infrared photothermal agents with aggregation-induced emission properties and achieves precise targeting through second NIR-II fluorescence imaging technology.
Researchers identified two novel genetic mechanisms governing disease resistance in wheat, involving pairs of nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat immune receptors. The discoveries offer new insights into plant immunity and provide crucial gene resources for breeding resistant wheat varieties.
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences have synthesized a new, highly neutron-deficient isotope of protactinium, protactinium-210. The discovery validates the facility's capability for studying heavy and superheavy nuclei.
Astronomers discover a super-Earth in the habitable zone of Kepler-725, 10 times Earth's mass, using Transit Timing Variation (TTV) technique. The exoplanet receives 1.4 times solar radiation as Earth and has potential for habitability.
Researchers have identified ten hemagglutinin sub-subclades with distinct antigenic variations, explaining why existing vaccines are ineffective against H9N2 AIVs. Key mutations associated with increased infectivity and pathogenicity in mammals have also been found.
The study reveals that the crystallographic characteristics of dinosaur egg SEUs are identical to those of PEUs and modern bird eggshell units, suggesting a biogenic origin. The researchers also discovered grooves and vesicles in SEUs, consistent with organic matrix fiber degradation during fossilization.